BY DEEPINDER SINGHBUENA PARK, CA - There is a time honored tradition at the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar that dictates the singing of Gurbani, associated with Basant, in Raga Basant and other Ragas related to the arrival of spring, from the beginning of the month of Magh until Hola Mohalla. While celebrating the...

meandering journey through Basant in the Gurmat Sangeet Tradition, Basant Kirtan Darbar was organized by Bhai Mardana Institute of Gurmat Sangeet here at Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Feb 21.Amarjit Singh Taan from San Antonio, Texas performed Kirtan of Shabad of Saint Kabir, ‘Maoli Dharti Maolia Akaash’ in Raag Basant Marva and mesmerized the congregation. Bhai Taan while talking to IJ said his is the 17th generation performing Kirtan and about the particular composition he said his grandfather Mohar Singh Taan composed this Raag Bandish.Bhai Harbaljeet Singh and Jatha visiting from Batala, India, performed Kirtan of two Shabad in conventional ‘Basant Ki Chowki’ style as is done at Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. First Shabad, ‘Sansaar Samunde Taar Gobinde’ of Bhagat Namdevji and second Shabad, ‘Dekh Phool Phool Phoole’ of Guru Arjan Devji. Ramneek Kaur from Toronto did Kirtan of two Shabads, ‘Basant Chariya Phoole Banrai’ and ‘Aaj Hamare Greh Basant’. She was accompanied by Hardeep Channa on ‘Taus’, a musical string instrument invented by Guru Gobind Singh.Bhavandeep Singh Jakhmi performed Kirtan of Shabad, ‘Pitta Paarbrahm Prabh Dhanni’ composed in Raag Basant Hindool in Ik Taal. Sur Shabad Parivar Women Jatha recited ‘Dekh Phool Phool Phoole’ composed in Partaal, which included Chaar Taal, Ik Taal, Teen Taal and Sur Taal. The Jatha was all dressed in traditional ‘basanti’ (yellow) color. In addition to harmonium, they were accompanied by string musical instrument Swarmandal, Taul, Tanpura and Dilruba.Sur Shabad Parivar Children Jatha which had ten participants in it recited ‘Banaspat Maoli Chariya Basant’. Ustaad Ranjit Singh, founder of Bhai Mardana Institute of Gurmat Sangeet speaking on the occasion said Basant Raag has special significance in Gurmat Sangeet and signifies the joyous and blossoming state of mind when the internal self becomes God conscious. He thanked participating Raagi Jathas and congregation members for their presence. The Kirtan Darbar was emceed by Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal.